An apparatus for eliminating pressure and providing patient stability configured to be placed onto an operating room table or bed frame, or on top of another support surface on top of a bed frame. The apparatus includes a support surface that eliminates all pressure affecting the sacrum, coccyx and ischium, thereby preventing pressure ulcers affecting these anatomical sites. Additionally, the support surface substantially reduces pressures affecting the heels, thereby preventing the occurrence of pressure ulcers affecting the heels. Alternately, the support surface eliminates pressure affecting the heels, trochanter/hip and shoulder area, thereby preventing pressure ulcers affecting these anatomical sites. The support surface also provides patient stability. On an operating room table, the patient stability facilitates surgical effectiveness and safety. On a bed, the patient stability significantly reduces the need for healthcare workers to reposition or move patients up in bed, thereby significantly reducing the risks for back injuries for healthcare workers.

The present disclosure relates to a system comprising an operating table, and air bladder, and an air compressor, in particular, to a system which is used for kidney surgery.

Embodiments include a modular support pad having a support cushion, a fluid-filled bladder coupled to an electronic pressure sensor for sensing a fluid pressure within the fluid-filled bladder, and a ticking surrounding the support cushion and the fluid-filled bladder and providing a person support surface between the fluid-filled bladder and a person. Other embodiments include a modular support pad having a support cushion, a bladder coupled to an electronic pump for circulating a cooling fluid within the bladder, and a ticking surrounding the support cushion and the bladder and providing a person support surface between the bladder and a person. Methods of sensing pressure applied by a support pad are also described.

An adjustable support apparatus for a surgery table utilizing a platform having first and second end portions. First and second end supports are used to mount the platform which is adjusted by a carriage having a pawl operator. The carriage includes studs having support surfaces for the platform. A tower utilizing a gear rack interacts with the carriage pawl operator to positon the platform relative to the first and second end support of the surgery table.

A patient support system includes independently adjustable end columns supporting a centrally hinged, jointed or breaking patient support structure. At least one column includes a powered rotation assembly. The patient support includes at least two sections. A coordinated drive system provides for both upwardly and downwardly breaking or jointed orientations of the two sections in various inclined and tilted positions. Cable, cantilevered and pull-rod systems are included.

A leg pulling device has a traction device and a supporting device. At least one force or at least one pressure which is exerted on a patient by the supporting device upon the actuation of the traction device can be measured.

A fail-safe release mechanism for use with patient positioning support apparati having a base structure and a patient support structure, to prevent collapse of the patient support structure during disconnection of the patient support structure from the base structure at outboard ends thereof.

An apparatus having at least one anatomical support member which comprises at least one layer of laminar sheeting and at least one articulating joint unit is in engagement with the at least one of anatomical support member. The joint is positionable in at least a vertical and horizontal orientations enabling smooth positioning of portions of an anatomy in three dimensions such that translational and/or rotational centrepoints in its x, y and z axes substantially coincide. The joint is preferably made of by material(s) that do not cause substantial radiographic or nuclear imaging artifacts when medically imaged thereby.

A manual distractor unit is mounted upon a support frame attached to an operating table side rail. An ankle strap is attached to the support frame and to the patient's ankle. A patient's knee support pad, extending from the distractor unit, is positioned under the patient's knee to provide traction to the patient's limb at the ankle, which is secured to the support frame by the ankle strap.

An apparatus for transferring a supine patient to a prone position on a patient support structure, and for rotating such a prone patient between prone and supine positions without removing the patient from the patient support structure.